Machine for packing gable topped milk containers in cases



May 1, 1962 c. z. MONROE ETAL 3,031,811

MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES Filed Dec. 8,1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 1, 1962 C. Z. MONROE ET AL MACHINE FOR PACKINGGABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES Filed Dec. 8, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet2 64mm, Ga NW 1 (1456M 9 Sheets-Sheet 3' May 1, 1962 c. Z. MONROE ET ALMACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES Filed Dec. 8,1958 a m a 1 ix Q A O I I I x 1 l I l I. .lllllllllllllll/ IHNHI T Mmm|wm m o m 1 M d WE Qm m Z Q w Q H f B fl a; r E I N M d r w n 7 h m q e nTIL I. Q3 ,vnm m PU@.\ C Tm w M \l JVILMT/ mm W H .wo mm I r I a I 1 5 mN W W H mm Q N m-w @9 mm 0 mw m w wm OmA\ r A 7/ Aw A I, n AIM; LT mmL\May 1, 1962 c. z. MONROE ETAL 3,031,811

MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES 9 Sheets-Sheet4 Filed Dec. 8, 1958 luverowond ovur e 6 650 m curled 9 Sheets-Sheet 5lw b MONROE ET AL PACKING GABLE TOPPED MIL Z. MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS INCASES May 1, 1962 Filed Dec. 8, 1958 q' lovuroe. a'm enkei l FR; be W/3} J4 CU May 1, 1962 c. z. MONROE ET AL 3,031,811

MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES May 1, 1962 c.z. MONROE ETAL MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASESFiled Dec 8, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 1, 1962 c. z. MONROE ET AL3,031,811

MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES Filed Dec. 8,1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 NcLAHP May 1, 1962 c. z. MONROE ET AL 3,031,811

MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILK CONTAINERS IN CASES Filed Dec. 8,1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 SV-S Q-lcurrq [5.631e-9t3m n h a mbo /l\/\ WG W,

WQMMAH WW0 1 QATTORNEY/ 3,031,811 MACHINE FOR PACKING GABLE TOPPED MILKCONTAINERS IN CASES Charles Z. Monroe, Detroit, Harry B. Egleston,Livonia, and Kenneth R. Thiho, Pontiac, Mich., assignors to Ex-Cell-OCorporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 8,1958, Ser. No. 778,924 17 Claims. (Cl. 53-74) The present inventionrelates to a new and improved mechanism for packing articles in casesand more particularly to an improved machine which finds particular butnot exclusive utility in casing gable topped milk containers which havebeen arranged in a suitable bank or pattern for transfer to a waitingcase by a gripping mechanism which engages the rib of the gable top ofeach container.

One object of this invention is to provide a new and improved casingmechanism for assembling a series of containers into a bank whileorienting an empty case into loading position, and then transferring thebank of containers rapidly yet gently to the waiting case. Anotherobject is to provide a mechanism of the foregoing character whichaccurately locates the case and guides the bank of containers into it.

Another object of the present invention is to increase the rate ofloading cases by providing a mechanism which is capable of assembling asecond bank of gable topped containers while a first bank of suchcontainers is being placed into a case.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a case loader ofthe above character wherein a container transfer mechanism securelygrips the containers in the bank during transfer and loading into acase, and, in the event a container is missing or is dropped from thebank, signals that the operation is incomplete and stops the mechanismuntil the trouble is corrected.

Still another object of the present invention is to eliminate thepossibility of damaging containers in the bank while loading them into acase in the foregoing manner by providing an improved novel casepositioning and locating mechanism which places a case in position andwhich, when the bank of containers is ready for loading, accuratelylocates the waiting empty case and, if it is out of position, is indamaged condition, or is otherwise unfit for receiving the containers,rejects it and places another empty case in position. A related objectis to provide a case positioning mechanism of the foregoing type whichis capable of receiving empty cases from a main supply conveyor feedinga plurality of case loaders and, after a case is filled with containers,discharging it onto a discharge conveyor carrying loaded cases to ashipping area.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a casermechanism of the foregoing character which operates rapidly, efficientlyand completely automatically with a minimum of attention to receivefilled, sealed containers from a packaging machine and place suchcontainers in shipping cases for ease in handling and subsequentshipping.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a machine illustrative of the presentinvention for packing gable topped containers in a case.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gable topped container having anupstanding rib.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of an air jet States Patent "icemechanism for sensing the presence of a line of container-s in thecasing machine.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the casing machine shown in FIG. 1, taken fromthe discharge end thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an illustrative wire case containingnine gable topped containers.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken substantially in the plane of line 6-6 onFIG. 4 and illustrating a bank of containers in position for subsequenttransfer to a case loading position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view taken substantially in the plane ofline 7-7 on FIG. 1 and illustrating in detail the gripping mechanism forholding the gable topped containers in the bank during transfer to awaiting case.

FIG. 8 is a section view taken substantially in the plane of line 8-8 onFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section view taken substantially in the plane of line 9-9 onFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a section view taken substantially in the plane of line 10-10on FIG. 9 and illustrating a jaw in detail.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged section view taken substantially in the plane ofline 11-11 on FIG. 4 and illustrating a case locating mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the formation of a bank ofcontainers and the direction of their movement through the casingmachine as they are trans ferred to the case loading position.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of a jaw mechanismfor gripping the upstanding ribs of the gable topped containers.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a case conveyor system whereincases to be filled with containers are removed from a supply conveyor toa loading position.

' FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical andhydraulic system useful for operating the illustrative casing mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a modified portion of theelectrical circuit shown in FIG. 15 to be employed when packing quartand fractional-quart size containers in a case.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a portion of a case containing one-halfpint size containers.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary illustration of a case containing pint sizecontainers.

While a certain illustrative mechanism for packing gable toppedcontainers in cases has been shown in the drawings and will be describedbelow in detail, it should be undersood that there is no intention tolimit the invention to the specific form disclosed. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,equivalents and uses falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 2 a container of thetype which the casing machine of the present invention is especially butnot exclusively adapted to pack into an empty case. This container 50comprises a generally rectangular tubular body portion 51 surmounted bya pair of opposed upwardly inclined roof panels 52 joined at their apexby an upstanding rib 53, and by triangular end panels 54 slopinginwardly beneath the roof panels. The construction of containers of thistype is well known in the art, and such containers are generallysupplied in sizes ranging from as large as onehalf gallon downwardthrough quart and fractional-quart sizes. Among the latter are pints,third-quarts and halfpints, these being the sizes commonly employed inthe dairy industry. Shipping and handling cases are generally of astandard size. For example, when half-gallon size containers are to becased, it is common practice to form a bank of nine containers withthree on a side and place the nine one-half gallon containers in a case56, the cases employed, as shown in FIG. 5, conventionally accommodatingthis number of half-gallon containers. The same size case 56 will alsoreceive 16 quart size containers and, by stacking fractional-quartcontainers on on top of the other, the cases may contain as many as 28pints, 32 one-third quart, or 44 one-half pints.

In the casing machine illustrative of the present invention, containerst} having the gabled top configuration proceed from the outlet of apackaging machine (not shown) and are conveyed by an appropriateconveyor 60 to the casing mechanism. This mechanism, as shown in thedrawings, comprises generally a frame 61 supported on appropriate legs62 and mounting the discharge end of the inlet conveyor 68 upon whichthe containers 50 are carried and guided by appropriate guide rods 64.In describing the casing mechanism unless otherwise stated it will beunderstood that the containers being cased are of the half-gallon typeand that these containers will be formed into a bank of nine containerswith three containers on a side.

In order to form the bank of nine containers, three rows of threecontainers each are alined one in back of the other. To this end, thecontainers 59 carried on the inlet conveyor 60 pass onto a series ofrollers 65 freely mounted on the frame 61 as shown in FIG. 1. Thepresence of a line of three containers upon these rollers is sensed byan air pressure mechanism shown in detail in FIG. 3. This mechanismcomprises one or more air jets 66 supplied with air from a supply sourcethrough a pressure sensitive switch 68 and supply line 69 to a manifold70 out of which the nozzles 66 project. The pressure sensitive valve 68is so adjusted that when air flows freely from the nozzles 66, theswitch is open and a definite air pressure exists in the line 69 andmanifold 79 as indicated by an appropriate gage 71. When threecontainers 5!) are in position (FIG. 3), one over each nozzle 66, thepressure in the manifold 70 and line 69 is increased (as can be observedon the gage 71) so that the pressure sensitive switch 68 is closed.While three nozzles 66 may be employed, it has been found in practicethat under most circumstances only the nozzle shown at the far right inFIG. 3 need be employed to sense the presence of the first container inline. With the air jet arrangement, three containers Will be pushed ontothe rollers 65 by a fourth container resting on the conveyor and thisline of containers will be pushed onto a bankforming platform or table.

In order to form a bank of nine containers, the first three containerswhen alined over the air pressure sensing means are placed onto thetable which is formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending bars72. It will be appreciated that, while the table may be of a solid piecof metal, because the containers are commonly coated with a wax such asparaffin it is desirable to support them on a minimum of surface area soas to facilitate their sliding movement on the table 72 during theformation of the bank.

The three containers 50 alined on the rollers 65 are placed onto thetable by a pusher mechanism 75 which operates in response to the closingof the air pressure switch 68. One illustrative pusher mechanism 75 isshown in detail in FIG. 6 and comprises a fluid pressure motor 76 of thepiston type mounted on the frame 61 and having on the free end of itspiston rod 78 a pusher plate 79 which is sufficiently long and high toengage the tubular portions 51 of the containers Stl alined in front ofit on the rollers 65, and push this line of containers onto the table72.

The pusher motor, as well as the many other fluid pressure operatedmotors employed, are preferably operated by pressure fluid such as ahydraulic oil supplied by a motor driven pump (not shown) from areservoir ,of the oil, although other suitable pressure fluids may beemployed. Unless otherwise specified, these motors are of thedifferential pressure type wherein the rod side of the motor is alwaysconnected to the pressure fluid supply line, designated as 80 in thedrawings (FIG. 15). A drain or exhaust is indicated generally by thenumeral 83. There is also no requirement that pressure fluid motors beused exclusively where it is found that oiher types will serve equallywell. The fluid pressure system and electrical unit controlling itsoperation is schematically shown in PEG. 15. The fluid pressure operatedmotors are preferably of the differential piston and cylinder type,although there is no intention that the invention be so limited, in thatother pressure fluid mechanisms may be employed to advantage. Thepressure fluid motors are controlled in their operation by acorresponding solenoid valve located in the pressure fluid line to themotor. The valves in turn are actuated by an appropriate limit switch inthe electrical control circuit. The sequence of operation will becomeclear from the following description.

The pusher motor 76 is operated by pressure fluid supplied to it througha control solenoid valve SV-l. In the position of this valve SV-lcorresponding to the closing of the pressure sensitive switch 68, themotor is operative to force the pusher plate 79 forward to remove thethree alined containers from the rollers above the air jets and placethem on the table defined by the bars 72. When the containers leave therollers, the pressure in the manifold 70 drops and the pressure switch68 opens.

For purposes of preventing following containers from passing on to therollers 65 in back of the pusher plate 79 when it is energized to pushthe line of three containers 50 onto the table 72, the pusher isprovided with a rearwardly extending gate portion 81 fixed thereto andof sufficient length to extend across the path of the conveyor 60 whenthe pusher is in its outermost position (as shown in FIG. 6). When thepusher reaches the outer end of its stroke, an extending member 82secured to the piston rod 78 engages a limit switch 8-1 which reversesthe direction of the pusher solenoid valve SV-1 thereby to withdraw thepusher and release the next c ntainers on the entrance conveyor forentry into the casing mechanism. This operation is repeated three timesin order to form a bank of nine containers as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

When the last row of three containers is placed on the table by thepusher mechanism 75 to complete the formation of the bank of ninecontainers, a three-eontact limit switch 8-2 A, B, C on the oppositeside of the table 72 is actuated. This opens switches S-2B and S- 20 todeactivate the pusher in its extended position, and closes switch S-2Ato initiate the transfer of the bank of containers to a waiting case56A. This case has been placed in position for receiving the bank ofnine containers 56 during the formation of the bank of containers on thetable 72 by a mechanism to be described.

Empty cases 56 are supplied to the casing mechanism from a conveyor 84extending beneath the bank forming table 72. From this conveyor, whichmay either be mounted on the machine frame 61 or mounted separately 1fdesired, the empty cases are pushed laterally to a loading station A. Inthe following description, cases in the loading position will beindicated by the numeral 56A. Appropriate means are provided forpositioning the cases in the loading position. One illustrative means isshown in FIG. 6 of the drawings and comprises a pressure fluid operatedpiston and cylinder motor 85 having a pusher face plate 86 on the freeend of the piston rod 88 adapted to engage the side of an empty case 56on the conveyor 84-. The cases are stopped in front of the pusher plateby a gate mechanism 89 which comprises a pair of rods 90 (FIG. 1)projecting over the path of the conveyor. In a modification of the casesupply mechanism, which will be described later in connection with FIG.14, the gate 89 may comprise an escapement mechanism which permits casesto pass through one casing machine for use in a second casing machine.

The case pusher motor 85 is energized by an appropriate solenoid valveSV-Z connected in the supply line of the hydraulic pressure fluid to themotor 85. The presence of an empty case on the conveyor actuates atwo-contact limit switch 8-3 A, B, switch portion S-3A of which closesto energize the solenoid valve SV-Z and thereby actuate the pusher motor85 so that the case is pushed into position in the loading station forreceiving the bank of containers formed on the table. Succeeding emptycases are prevented from being carried by the conveyor 84 to a positionbehind the case pusher plate 86 by a gate 91. The latter is mounted forswinging movement by a suitable pivot joint 92 on the frame 61 and isurged over the conveyor 84 and into the front of a case thereon by ahelical compression spring 94. On its free end, the gate 91 is providedwith an abutment block 95 for engaging a case. The gate is held in itsretracted position by a projecting pin 196 on the rear of the casepusher plate 86 which engages the gate at a point intermediate its ends.The pusher is guided by a rod 93 slidably mounted in the frame.

As the case is pushed into the loading station by the pusher plate 86,the gate 91 swings across the conveyor 84 to block the entrance of afurther case. When the pusher reaches the end of its stroke, a finger 97on the end of the rod 93 (FIG. 1) actuates a two-contact limit switch8-4 A, B, to energize the solenoid valve SV-2 to reverse the directionof the pusher motor 85 (FIG. 15). This moor then withdraws the pusherplate 86 and gate 91 so that another case can enter the machine. Ifdesired, a manual switch S-5 (FIG. 15) can be provided for reversing thepusher motor in the event the piston rod fails to reach the end of itsstroke, for example, should a case get stuck in the mechanism, or if itis desired for any reason to place a different case in position forreceiving containers.

In order that a second bank of containers can be formed while a case isbeing loaded with a previously formed bank of containers, the caseloading station A is located at one side of and below the table on whichthe bank of containers is formed as shown in FIG. 1. With thisarrangement, the bank of containers can be picked up bodily in anyappropriate manner, such as by the gripping mechanism to be described indetail below, and transferred to a waiting case at a point remote fromthe table. Once the bank has been gripped by the gripping mechanism, thecontainer pusher is withdrawn, the gripped containers are transported tothe loading position, containers again enter the mechanism over the airjets and a new bank is formed. In this way a new series of containerscan be placed in front of the pusher so that once the bank is removedfrom the table, a new bank can be immediately formed with a substantialsaving in time.

A case 56A is supported in a loading station A by a guideway 96 on theframe 61 forming tracks on which the case rides. From the loadingstation, filled cases are pushed onto a discharge conveyor (not shown inFIG. 1) positioned alongside the casing mechanism so as to receive casesfrom the guide tracks 96.

For guiding an empty case 56 into approximately its proper position inloading station A there is provided on the frame 61 above the tracks 96a spring biased shoe plate 98 which slides across the side of the caseand urges it against a fixed plate or guides 99 on the opposite side ofthe frame as shown in FIG. 4. Both the shoe and the fixed plate aremounted on the frame 61 and serve as guides to locate the case incontainer receiving position as it is pushed into loading position bythe pusher. When an empty case is in position, its presence is indicatedby the closing of a limit switch S-6 mounted on the frame 61 adjacentthe outer end of the track 96.

Means are provided for transferring the bank of con- 6 tainers to awaiting case and simultaneously locating and centering the case orrejecting it if it is damaged or otherwise out of position before thecontainers are lowered into it. One illustrative means comprises atransfer head having a plurality of jaws 101, which when the transferhead is lowered, engage the upstanding ribs 53 of each of the containers50 so that when the head 109 is raised, the containers are lifted off ofthe table. After the containers in the bank are lifted, the transferhead slides laterally carrying the containers with it and positions themover an empty case 56A at the loading station. Before the containers areplaced into a case, a case locator mechanism 102 is lowered toaccurately center the case as well as provide a guide for the containersas they are placed into the case. The case locator mechanism engages theupper edge of the case,

and by an appropriate sensing switch arrangement, de-

termines whether or not the case is in position for re- -ceiving thecontainers. Assuming that it is, the containers are then lowered intoposition in the case and the jaws 101 are released. The transfer head100 is then raised and traverses back to its rest position above thebanking table 72. A succeeding empty case 56 then forces the filled caseout of the case loading position and onto a discharge conveyor.

The transfer head 100 including the gripping jaws 101 is mounted on abridge member 104 which is in turn mounted for traversing movement bymeans of appropriate bearing hubs 105 on each corner thereof guided on apair of spaced horizontal rods 106 mounted on the frame 61 by suitablebrackets 108 and extending from the container entrance position (at theleft of the machine as shown in FIG. 1) over the case loading position(at the right of the machine as shown in FIG. 1), so that the bridge cantraverse back and forth along the rods between the two positions.Traversing movement of the bridge is accomplished by means of a pistonand cylinder motor 109 under the control of a solenoid valve SV-3communicating with the pressure fluid line 81) supplying fluid from thepump to the various motors. The extreme positions of the bridges 104sliding along the rod ways are sensed by means of a two-contact limitswitch 8-7 A, B, and a three-contact limit switch 8-8 A, B, C, locatedrespectively at the container banking and the case loading end positionof the rods. The switch arms are engaged by appropriately extending arms110, 111 mounted for movement with the bridge 104.

The bridge 104 supports the transfer head 10% which may be first loweredto grip the containers in the bank, then raised to lift the bank ofcontainers from the table 72 and then, after being carried by the bridgeto a position over the case loading station, again lowered to place theminto a waiting case 56A. The head is guided for vertical movement on thebridge 104 by a pair of guide rods 113 journaled in appropriate bearings114 mounted on the bridge. For raising and lowering the head there isprovided a pressure fluid motor 115 of the piston and cylinder type. Thefree end of the piston rod 116 of the motor 115 is attached, by anappropriate link 118, to the transfer head 100 as shown in FIG. 4.

The motor 115 is under the control of a solenoid valve SV4 which isactuated to energize the motor in response to the closing of the limitswitch S2A at the end of the table 72 indicating that a complete bank ofcontainers is formed thereon. When the bridge is above the table 72,limit switch S7B of two-contact limit switch S-7 A, B, is closed so thatwhen limit switch S-2A is closed, the transfer head is lowered to engagethe ribs 53 of the containers and lift them off of the table 72. Whenthe head reaches its lowered position it engages a limit switch S9 whichactuates the jaw motor 138 to operate the jaws so that they grip thecontainer ribs. When picking up the containers, the downward movement ofthe head 100 is arrested by stop 117 (FIG. 7) mounted on the frame andengaged by projecting portions of the head plate 122. The stops aredesirably adjustable so that the jaws 1 can be correctly positioned toengage the ribs.

In order that each of the containers is securely gripped so as toprevent it from falling from the transfer head 100 while beingtransferred to a case, the jaws 1111 are actuated to grip individuallythe upstanding rib of each container in the bank. One illustrative jawmechanism is shown in FIGS. 7-10 and comprises a plurality of jaw orclamp devices corresponding in number to the containers in the bank.While all of the jaw devices shown are alike, one will be described andit will be understood that the others are similar in construction. Theillustrative jaw device comprises a lefthand jaw member 121 and arighthand jaw member 120 cooperating therewith to grip a container rib.For supporting the jaw device, the head is formed with top supportmember 122 having side panels 124 depending from opposite sides andmounting spaced pairs of shafts 125, 126, on which the jaws swing.

For each row of containers in the bank there is provided acorrespondingly alined pair of shafts 125, 126 extending between thedepending side panels 124 of the head 10%). The right hand jaw 120swings on shaft 125, being drivingly engaged with a gear 128 whichmeshes with a corresponding gear 129 journaled on the second shaft 126of the pair. The latter gear is connected, by means of a tongue andgroove connector means 130, to an elongated lever arm 13-1 extendingparallel to the shafts and journaled for Swinging movement on the shaft126 by means of spaced hubs 132. The arm 131 is swung by a motor 138 ofthe piston and cylinder type to which it is connected by means of apivot pin 134 extending between an upstanding ear 135 thereon and abifurcated end of the motor piston rod 136. This motor 138 for actuatingthe jaws 101 is energized by the pressure fluid supplied by the mainpressure fluid source and controlled by an appropriate solenoid valveSV-5. It should be noted that motor 138' is not of the differentialpressure type but that the piston and cylinder sides are connectedeither to pressure or to exhaust.

The lefthand jaw 121 of the jaw device 101 is freely journaled on shaft126 and is driven in cooperation with righthand jaw 120. For urging thelefthand jaw into gripping engagement with a container rib 53, it isprovided with an upstanding leg portion 139 having a socket 141) opposedto a similar socket 141 on the lever arm 131. Between the sockets ismounted a helical compression spring 142 which serves to forcibly urgethe lefthand jaw 121 against the righthand jaw 12%) when the lever arm131 is swung by the motor 138 to press the latter jaw against thecontainer rib 53. Referring to FIG. 7, as the link 131 is swungcounterclockwise to rotate the driving gear 129 counterclockwise anddriving gear 128 clockwise and thereby swing the righthand jaw 120clockwise, the lefthand jaw is urged in a counterclockwise direction bythe action of the compression spring 142. The tightness of the gripwill, of course, depend upon the strength characteristics of the spring.when the jaws are to be released by reversal of the motor 138, a lostmotion connection in the form of a headed bolt 144 extending between thelever 131 and lefthand jaw leg 139 limits separation of these twocomponents, and thereby pulls the jaws apart.

The remaining jaws are constructed and actuated in the manner describedabove. To this end, as shown in FIG. 7, the lever arms 131 swinginglymounted on one shaft 126 of each pair are connected together by ahorizontal link 1 pivoted by a pin 146 extending through the link 145between ears 148 on the levers 131. One of the levers 131 is connecteddirectly to the motor as described above. Each jaw mechanism is of asimilar construction to that just described. For example, in ahalf-gallon container casing machine three jaw mechanisms are providedon each of the three pairs of shafts, making a total of nine jawdevices. These jaw mechanisms are all connected to operate together bythe transversely extending lever arm 131 and gears 128, 129, connectedtogether by the horizontal link 145.

The faces of the jaws are preferably provided with serrated teeth orridges 14? (FIG. 13) or otherwise serrated or scored to enhance theirgripping action on the container ribs. To avoid damaging the staple inthe container ribs, however, it is desirable that the jaws be providedwith a recessed portion 151) located for receiving the staples oftenpresent in the container ribs 53.

Operation of the jaw motor 138 is controlled by a solenoid valve SV-Swhich is actuated to cause the jaws to clamp in response to the loweringof the head. When the head reaches its lower position as determined bythe stops 117, it engages limit switch S-9 mounted on the frame justabove the bank of containers. On the other hand, solenoid valve SV-5operates to reverse the motor and release the jaws in response to thelowering of the containers into a case and the closing of a limit switchS-lt) mounted on the bridge 104 and engaged by an arm 152 fixed on oneend of the adjacent guide rods 113 (FIG. 4).

For purposes of sensing when a container is missing from the bank ordrops from the jaws of the transfer head so that the operation can bestopped until the damage or misoperation is corrected, the spring biasedjaws are constructed to form a type of lost motion connection whichoperates a safety switch S-11. It will be appreciated that the ribs ofthe containers have a definite thickness. It was accordingly discoveredthat by using an appropriate linkage to sense the overtravel of thespring biased jaw when a container rib was not present, a sensing switchcould be actuated to indicate that one of the sets of jaws was empty.Such a linkage is shown in FIG. 7 and comprises an outwardly extendingarm 154 on each spring biased jaw 121 having a projecting pin 155thereon which engages a cross bar 156 extending between parallelconnecting bars 158 of a linkage mechanism supported from the head bypairs of parallel depending links 159. One of the cross bars 156 ispositioned against an arm 161) of the safety limit switch S11. Shouldone of the jaws be empty as a result of missing a container or acontainer dropping from the jaws, the spring biased jaw 121 willovertravel, causing the arm 154 to engage and raise the cross bar 156and connecting bar 158 of the parallel linkage and thereby open thesafety switch 3-11. When this switch is open, the solenoid valve SV-3controlling the operation of the bridge traversing motor 109 is reversedor prevented from taking place until the trouble is corrected.

The actuation of the jaws 101 to engage the ribs 53 of the containers 50in the bank is sensed by a pair of twocontact limit switches S12A, B andS13A, B, mounted on the head as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The switchesare engaged by projecting arms 161, 162 respectively, secured to one ortwo of the lever arms 131 (FIG. 8). When the jaws are closed, these arms161, 162 engage the switches and, as a result, switches S12A, S12B andS-13A are closed while switch S13B is opened breaking the circuit tosolenoid valve SV4 and resulting in the head being lifted by the motorto lift the bank of containers off of the table 72.

So that a new bank of containers can be in the process of formationwhile a preceding bank is being transferred to a case, the pusher 79 iswithdrawn when the jaws are closed to grip the ribs of containers in abank. This enables three more containers to be alined on the inletrollers in front of the pusher. To this end, closing of switch S13A uponengagement by the arm 161 when the jaws are closed by-passes open switchS-ZB. The pusher solenoid valve SV-1 is then energized to reverse thepusher motor 76 and retract the pusher 79. After the pusheris withdrawnthree more containers will be positioned in front of the pusher. Thesecontainers will not be pushed onto the platform 72, however, until thepreceding bank is removed and switch S-2C is closed.

When the transfer head 100 is lifted with the containers 50 securelygripped in the jaws 101 so that they are free of the assembly table, thebridge is actuated to carry the transfer mechanism and containerslaterally to a position over an empty case. To this end, the head 100carries an abutment 164 (FIG. 7) which, when the head is raised, engagesa two-contact limit switch S-14A, B mounted on the bridge 104. SwitchS-14B is in series with switch S-12A so when both are closed solenoidSV-3 is energized to direct pressure fluid to bridge motor 109 to movethe bridge and thereby carry the containers to the case loadingposition. Upon completion of the traverse, the bridge engages limitswitch S8 to close switches S-8B and S8C and open switch S8A. This hasthree effects. One is that switch S-8A, in series with closed switchS-13A (which closes when the jaws 101 are clamped to the ribs ofcontainers), opens to place the operation of the pusher mechanism 75again under the control of the air nozzles and pressure switch 68 andlimit switch 8-1. The second is that switch S-8B closes to initiate thedownward movement of the transfer head if a waiting case 56 is inposition in the loading station for receiving the bank of containers.The third elfect when limit switch S4; is engaged is that switch S-8C isclosed to energize the locator mechanism 102.

In order to accurately locate the case and determine whether or not itis too badly damaged to receive the containers, there is providedimmediately above the case loading position the case locator mechanism102 which operates just ahead of the transfer mechanism lowering thecontainers into the case to locate and center the case as well as toguide the containers into it. Referring to FIGS. 1, l1 and 15, the caselocator mechanism 102 comprises, basically an open rectangular frame 165which is adapted to be lowered over the upper edge of a case 56A anddefine an opening through which the containers 50 are passed. For thispurpose, the frame 165 is provided at each corner with a pair ofdownwardly facing projections or guide members 166 corresponding to eachcorner of the case. When the frame is lowered, the downwardly inclinedsurfaces 168 of these projections engage the upper edge of the case andcam the case into centered position underneath the frame. The opening ofthe frame 165, on the other hand, through which the containers pass isdefined by inner upwardly and outwardly sloping surfaces 169 on theframe which serve to guide the containers in the bank and urge themgently together into a compact group so that they slide easily into thecase 56A as they are lowered by the transfer head.

For guiding the locator frame 165 as it moves downwardly under the forceof the motor there is provided on one side of the main support frame 61adjacent the case loading station A, a pair of spaced guide rods 170which slidably receive bearing members 171 secured to one side of theframe 165. The frame 165 is suspended for vertical movement above thecase loading position, in cantilever fashion thereby keeping the guidingand motor portions of the locator mechanism 102 to one side of theframe. This leaves a clear path for movement of the transfer head inplacing containers into a case, as well as alleviating any mounting andfriction problems in the locator mechanism.

The rectangular case locator frame is lowered onto a case 56A by meansof a pressure fluid motor 172, also of the differential piston andcylinder type controlled by solenoid valve SV-6 which is energized whenswitch S8C is closed. Motor 172 is connected in series with the headlowering motor 115 so that the latter must be energized before thelocator motor 172 can operate. The piston 174 of the motor 172 isconnected to the frame by means of a lost motion connection 175including a heavy helical compression spring 176. In this constructionthe lost motion connection comprises a rod 178 securely fixed to thepiston 174 and slidably mounted through an aperture 179 in the frame165. The rod is threaded on its free end beneath the frame 165 forreceiving a pair of locking nuts 180 which engage the under surface ofthe frame to positively lift the same. At its junction with the pistonrod 178a the rod is provided with a shoulder member 181.

Providing a driving connection between the rod 178 and frame 165 is thecompression spring 176. With this construction, as the motor piston rod1718a moves downwardly, the frame carried thereby is also moveddownwardly. Should the frame meet some resistance, however, it will stopand the spring 176 will be compressed as the rod continues to move. Withthe device, a defective or mis-positioned case is sensed by engagementof the bottom surfaces of the projections 166 with the upper edge of thecase. Should this occur, the movement of the locator frame stops and thespring is compressed as the piston is driven further downwardly by themotor.

To sense a relative movement between the frame 165 and the rod 178resulting from the frame engaging a misplaced case, a roller 182 on asafety limit switch S15 fixed on the frame 165 is engaged by a camsurface 184 on the member 181 fixed on the piston rod 174. When thelocator safety switch S15 is closed by engagement of the roller 182 withthe cam surface 184, operation of the case load mechanism is temporarilyhalted until a new case 56A is placed into position. This isaccomplished by means of a relay R-l having a plurality of contactsR-la, R-lb, and R-lc, which is energized when switch S-15 is closed toclose contacts R-la and R-lb, and open contact R-lc. Opening contactR-lc breaks the circuit to and thereby reverses the position of solenoidvalve SV-4. As a result, the locator motor 172 raises the locator frame165 off of the mis-positioned case, and the transfer head motor 115raises the head and the containers it carries. At substantially the sametime, solenoid valve SV-2 is actuated by the closing of contact R-la, toenergize the case pusher motor 85 to position another case in theloading station. Contact R-lb serves to lock in relay R-l until theoperation of replacing the old case with a new one is complete. At thistime, switch 843 is opened by the release of the gate 91. Thepositioning of a new case closes switch S-6, and when contact R-lc isclosed, the case locating operation is repeated and the transfer headlowers the containers into the case. The frame is again lowered tolocate the case. If the new case is properly positioned, the transferhead will then lower the containers through the frame and into thecentered case.

When the bank of containers has been lowered through the locator frameinto a waiting case, limit switch S10 on the bridge 104 is engaged bythe arm 152 on the guide rod 113 of the transfer head. When this switchis closed, the position of solenoid valve SV-5 is reversed so that thejaws 101 gripping the containers are opened thereby releasing thecontainers. At the same time the closing of switch S-10 energizes relayR-l so that contact R-lc is opened and contacts R-1a and R-lb areclosed. This reverses the locator motor 172 and the head motor to raisethem away from the filled case, and energizes the case pusher motor 85to place an empty case in position and push the filled one onto thedischarge conveyor. When the head reaches its uppermost position, thebridge traverses back on its guide rods to position the head over thenew bank of containers formed while the previous bank was inserted intoa case. The process continues in this manner rapidly and completelyautomatically to group the containers in banks of nine and transfer themto a waiting empty case. The filled cases are pushed out of themechanism by succeeding empty cases and are picked up by a dischargeconveyor which carries them to a shipping area.

It will be appreciated that the mechanism is particularly well adaptedfor use over conveyors which carry a continuous supply of filled andempty cases, as shown in FIG.

1 1 14. In the modification illustrated somewhat schematically in thisfigure, empty cases 56 are carried on a conveyor 84 which passesgenerally through more than one casing mechanism of the type describedabove in order to supply empty cases to each. To enable each mechanismto take cases from the conveyor as they are needed, each casingmechanism is provided at a point adjacent the case pusher with anescapement mechanism 190 for removing needed cases from the conveyorwhile passing the rest. The escapement mechanism shown comprises anescapement lever 191 pivoted on the caser frame 61 and having on one enda gate portion 192 for stopping a case in front of the plunger or casepusher 86. On its other end the escapement lever is formed with a stopmember 194 which is moved into position over the conveyor and in frontof cases thereon when the gate is swung away to allow a case to pass. Togive the gate portion 192 a sutficient chance to return to its positionover the conveyor after passing a case, the stop member halts thefollowing case substantially in front of the pusher 86. A spring 195normally urges the lever 191 to a position with the gate 192extendingacross the conveyor, although this spring is weak enough to allow a caseon the conveyor to swing the gate to one side and at the same time swingthe stop 194 over the conveyor into the path of the next case.

When the released case 56a has passed the gate portion 192, the spring195 swings the lever 191 to again position the gate 192 across theconveyor to stop a succeeding case 5611 in front of the pusher 86 andwith following cases 560 behind it. The lever is locked in this positionby the engagement of a pin 198 with a shoulder 199 defined on the lever.This pin 198 is connected through a linkage mechanism 200 to an arm 201swingingly mounted on the conveyor frame and biased by a spring 202 to aposition over the conveyor. The linkage includes a pair of hell cranks,one at each end, so that when the arm 201 is swung to one side by apassing case 56a, the escapement lever 191 is locked by engagement ofthe pin 198 with the shoulder 199.

After the released case 56a has passed the arm 201, the latter swingsacross the conveyor under the force of its spring 202, thereby releasingthe locking pin from the escapement lever. It will be appreciated thatthe arm 201 is desirably placed a distance down the conveyorsufficiently remote from the escapement lever 191 to enable the gate 192to swing into position after a case has passed, and yet it also must belocated close enough to the escapement lever 191 so that the lever 191will be locked into position before a following case 56b passes the gate192. This problem of dimensioning will of course depend upon the size ofcases employed.

The presence of a case in front of the pusher is sensed as describedabove, by the two contact limit switch S3 mounted alongside theconveyor. In either the case supply mechanism shown in FIG. 14 ordescribed earlier above, it is desirable to employ a pilot light 204(FIG. 15) in series with limit switch 8-33 to indicate the presence of acase ready for insertion into the loading station. In operation, thecase pusher mechanism including the pusher motor 85 its associatedcontrols, the

, stop mechanism 95, and case locator mechanism 102 are as describedabove.

When a case has been filled it is pushed by the entrance of the nextcase onto a discharge conveyor 205. In order to prevent a collisonbetween filled cases an appropriate stop mechanism 206 operated by amotor 207 is provided to allow sufficient time for entry of a filledcase onto the filled case conveyor from a casing machine. This stop canbe of any desired form comprising either a piston actuated stop gate ora fixed abutment projecting outwardly over the conveyor with theprovision of the piston mounted pusher for pushing the case past thestop when it is safe to proceed. The piston motor 207 can be energizedby a solenoid valve SV-7 which is actuated by 12 the closing of acontact R-ld in the electrical circuit (FIG. 16).

The casing mechanism is energized by a conventional start-stop circuitshown in FIG. 15. This circuit includes the usual start and stop buttonsand a locking relay. In the event it is desired to by-pass the casingmechanism and load cases by hand, the system is de-energized and a gate208 (FIG. 4) at the end of the inlet rollers 65 is swung back out of theway to enable the containers to pass directly to a manual loadingstation B (FIG. 12). At this station, the containers 50 are supported ona table 209 secured to a frame 61 and from which they can be manuallypacked in cases. The gate 203 is swingably mounted on the frame by asuitable hinge 210 and is held in closed position by a latch or wing nutand bolt 211.

When quart and fractional-quart size containers are to be packed in acase, the casing machine transfer head is modified to include sixteenjaw or gripper devices 101, inasmuch as the bank of containers includessixteen containers. Additionally, there is provided a height positioningmechanism which can be adjusted for adapting the machine for use withthe different heights of containers. It would be appreciated that quartand fractional-quart size containers all have the same cross-sectionalarea, only the height differing between the various size containers.Because of the height of the upstanding closure panels and ribs,fractional-quart size containers when stacked may have a height somewhatgreater than quart size containers. With conventional size cases, it isnot possible for example to stack two layers of pint size containers oneon top of the other and still stack the cases, because the ribs of theupper layers of containers project above the top of the case. Therefore,when casing fractional-quart size containers, it is the usual practiceto put fewer containers in the top layer. The top layer then fallsbetween the upstanding ribs of the next lower layer as shown in FIG. 17and assume a tilted posi tion below the upper edge of the case. It hasbeen found that the size of case commonly employed in the dairy industrywill accommodate nine one-half gallon containers, sixteen quartcontainers, twenty-eight pint containers (one layer of sixteen and a toplayer of twelve), thirty-two one-third quart containers (two layers ofsixteen each), or forty-four one-half pint containers (two layers ofsixteen each and a top layer of twelve, as shown in FIG. 17).

To accommodate the transfer head for packing various sizes ofcontainers, provision is made for stopping the head 100 at a correctselected pick-up height above the table 72 so that the jaws 101 can gripthe ribs 53 of the containers, and for lowering the containers into thecase, and for releasing the containers without dropping or crushingthem. Provision is also desirably made for lacing more than one layer ofcontainers in a case when fractional-quart sizes are packed and meansfor assembling and picking up from the table less than a full bank ofcontainers for the top case layer of pints and one-half pints. Becausenine one-half gallon containers or sixteen quart size containers can becased, the casing mechanism will come provided with a head having thedesired number of jaws. When sixteen jaws are provided, quart andfractIonal-quart size containers can be cased by employing the selectorand control system shown in FIG. 16. To condition the mechanism to casea particular size container, the system includes a main selector switch8-17 positionable in a plurality of positions corresponding to thecontainer sizes.

For purposes of stopping the head at the desired level above the bankingtable 72 in accordance wtih the setting of the main switch, a pluralityof stops are provided from which a selection is made according to theheight of the container. The fixed stops 117 are set for the smallestcontainer, i.e. the one-half pint container, and there are provided aplurality of adjustable stops (not shown) corresponding to the heightsof the other size containers. For actuating these stops, a correspondingsolenoid actuator indicated in FIG. 16 by numerals 215, 216, and 217, isprovided for energizing the stops for use with onethird quart, pint andquart size containers, respectively. These solenoids are energized whenthe selector switch 8-17 is set at the desired position as shown in FIG.16. In its operation, the casing machine is controlled as describedabove, the containers being formed into a bank and then carried to aloading position over a waiting case.

When fractional-quart size containers are to be cased, it is desirableto place them in layers. For example, with one-half point sizecontainers, three layers of containers are placed in the case withsixteen containers, in the first two layers and twelve in the top one.To this end a height sensing mechanism is provided which, according tothe size of the container, stops the head and releases the jaws andcontainers at the proper level in the case to prevent the containersfrom being crushed or dropped and damaged.

The mechanism illustrated in FIG. 16 comprises a column220 mounted onthe frame 61 and supporting a vertical series of limit switches. Theselimit switches are positioned on the column 220 so as to be actuated inaccordance with the height of a certain size container relative to thecase and to the level of containers present in the case.

Quart size containers are packed sixteen to a case, only one level beingemployed. When the selector switch 8-17 is set at the quart position,the circuit operates as described above. Briefly, as the head is loweredto place the containers it carries into a case, the arm 152 on the rod113 engages a three-contact locking limit switch S-18A, B, C, twocontacts of which S-18A and 1-18B correspond in function to switch S-10employed in the one-half gallon machine. Also engaged is a limit switch3-19 in series with relay R-1 and a switch reset relay R-Z. When theseswitches are closed, relay R4 is energized causing the jaws 101 to openand release the containers and the head and locate mechanisms to bewithdrawn. Relay R-2 is energized to release the locked switch S-ISA, B,C. One-third quart size containers are packed thirty-two to a case, orin other words, two levels of sixteen containers each. Setting theselector switch 5-17 in the one-third quart position places in the levelsensing circuit a limit switch 8-20 having a contactor fixed on the post220 at a level corresponding to the height of the first layer ofone-third quart size containers in the case. This switch 8-20 is inseries with the upper limit switches S-18A, B, C, and the unclamp motorsolenoid valve SV-S. As the head is lowered, switches S-lSA, B, C, arelocked into position. When switch 5-20 is engaged, it locks intoposition and completes the circuit to the unclamp solenoid SV-S. Thecontainers are released, and the head is raised and returned to itspick-up position over the table 72. The partially full case, however, isnot ejected because switch 8-19 remains open and relay R-1 is notenergized. As the head is raised, switch 5-20 remains locked in closedposition, but the arm 152 trips the lock on switch S-lSA, B, C, openingit and resetting the clamp mechanism for a subsequent operation.

The head 109 then picks-up a second bank of one-third quart sizecontainers and transfers them to the loading position. This timehowever, with the intermediate switch 8-20 closed, the second layer ofcontainers are released at a higher level. This release is effected whenswitch S-18A, B, C, is closed in the same manner as with full quartcontainers. At the same time, switch 5-19 is closed completing thecircuit to the relays R-1 and R-Z. The full case is then ejected by theentrance of an empty one, and all of the switches are opened by resetrelay R-Z.

Pints and one-half pint size containers are cased in the same manner asthe one-third quart size containers.

with multiple levels of containers in each case, namely to levels ofpints and three levels of one-half pints. For casing the first level ofpint containers, a locking twocontact limit switch S-21A, B, isprovided, while for casing the first level of one-half pint containers alocking limit switch 5-22 is provided and for easing the second level atwo position locking limit switch S-23A, B, is provided.

Each switch locks into position as the head is lowered, and the upperlevel switch (namely S-18A, B, C, and S-23A, B) are released by the arm152 as the head is raised leaving the lower level switches (namely 8-20,8-21, and S-22A, B) closed. In the case of one-half pint containers boththe intermediate switch S-23A, B, and the lower switch S-22 remainclosed during the casing of the third level of containers (FIG. 17).

In casing the second and third levels of pint and onehalf pintcontainers respectively, it is necessary, as described above, to placeone less row of containers in the bank (ie only twelve containers) sothat the upper level can tilt and be between the upstanding ribs of thenext lower level (FIGS. 17 and 18). To this end, during the formation ofthe last bank of containers for each case, a wall 221 carrying the backstop limit switch 8-2 is moved inward over table 72 from the back edgethereof by a motor (not shown) under the control of a solenoid valveSV-S. This wall is moved a distance equal to the width of one row ofcontainers so that only three rows of four containers each (twelvecontainers in all) is formed and transferred to the case. The solenoidvalve SV-S is under the control of the limit switches 8-2113 and S-23Bas shown in FIG. 16.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a casing mechanism for loading a plurality of containers into acase, the combination comprising a frame mounting a table and inletcontainer conveyor for conveying a plurality of containers from apackaging machine to the casing machine, an inlet case conveyor on saidframe extending beneath said table for supplying empty cases to saidcasing mechanism, a container pusher means located on said framealongside of said container conveyor for removing a plurality of seriesof containers from said container conveyor and forming said containersinto an assembled bank on said table, a case pusher means located onsaid frame for removing a case from said case conveyor and positioningthe same on guide members in a case loading position at one side of andbelow the assembled bank of containers, a transfer head means forlifting the bank off of the table and transferring the bank sideways toa position directly above the case loading position and lowering thebank into a case, means for locating a case in container receivingposition and for guiding a bank of containers thereinto, means operativein response to the positioning of a case in the case loading positionand the positioning of the bank above the case for impressing said caselocating and container guiding means on top of said case to accuratelylocate and hold the case in position for receiving the containers asthey are lowered into the case by said transfer head, means fordischarging a filled case, and means operative in response to theimpressing of said case locator on a mislocated or damaged case forstopping said transfer head from lowering the bank into the case and foractuating said case discharging means to reject said case so that afurther case is fed into position by said case supply conveyor.

2. In a mechanism for packing a plurality of containers into a case, thecombination comprising, means for assembling a bank of containers, meansfor feeding an empty case into receiving position beside said containerassembly means, means operative in response to the formation of a bankof containers for lifting the bank bodily and transferring it to aposition above the case receiving position and lowering it into a case,means for locating a case in case receiving position and for guiding abank of containers thereinto, means operative in response to thepositioning of a case in receiving position and a bank of containersthereabove for impressing said case locating and container guiding meanson top of said case to aline the same accurately for receiving thecontainers as said transferring means lowers the bank of containersthereinto, means for discharging a filled case, and means operative inresponse to the impressing of said case locating means on a mislocatedor damaged case for stopping said container transfer means from loweringsaid bank of containers and for actuating said case discharge means toreject said case so that a further case is fed into receiving positionby said feeding means.

3. In a mechanism for packing a plurality of gable topped containersinto a case, the combination comprising means for assembling a bank ofcontainers, means for feeding an empty case into position for receivingthe containers, means operative in response to the formation of a bankof containers for gripping the rib of the gable top of each containerand for lifting the bank bodily and transferring it to a position abovethe case receiving position and lowering it into a case, means forlocating a case in container receiving position and for guiding a bankof containers thereinto, means operative in response to the positioningof a case in receiving position and a bank of containers thereabove forimpressing said case locating and container guiding means on top of saidcase to position the same accurately for receiving the containers assaid transferring means lowers the bank of containers thereinto, meansfor discharging a filled case, and means operative in response to theimpressing of said case cating means on a mislocated or damaged case forstopping said container transfer means from lowering said bank ofcontainers and for actuating said case discharge means to reject saidcase so that a further case is fed into receiving position by saidfeeding means.

4. In a container casing mechanims including means for assembling a bankof containers and means for transferring said bank to a case loadingposition above a case to be filled, a case support and locator meanscomprising, in combination, a frame defining a case supporting platform,means for guidably positioning a case on said platform, a generallyrectangular open member guidably mounted on said frame above saidplatform, a plurality of rigid depending projections on said member,means for lowering said member so that said projections engage the upperrim of a case on said platform and accurately center the case thereon,and means operatively connected between said lowering means and saidmember and operative in response to a premature engagement of the caseby at least one of the projections to cause the rejection of said caseand the insertion of another empty case onto the loading platform.

5. In a container casing mechanism including means for assembling a bankof containers and means for transferring said bank to a case loadingposition above a case to be filled, a case support and locator meanscomprising, in combination, a frame defining a case supporting platform,means for guidably positioning a case on said platform, a generallyrectangular open member guidably mounted on said frame above saidplatform, a plurality of rigid depending projections on said member,means for lowering said member so that said projections engage the upperrim of a case on said platform and accurately center the case thereon,and means operatively connected between said lowering means and saidmember including a lost motion device operative in response to apremature engagement of the case by at least one of the projectionscausing a relative movement between said member and said lowering meansto cause the rejection of said case and the insertion of another emptycase onto the loading platform by the case positioning means.

6. In a container casing mechanism including means for assembling a bankof containers and means for transferring said bank to a case loadingposition above a case its to be filled, case support and locator meanscomprising, in combination, a frame defining a case supporting platform,means for guidably positioning a case on said platform, a generallyrectangular open member guidably mounted on said frame above saidplatform, a pair of rigid. depending projections on each edge of saidmember, said projections defining an inner downwardly and outwardlysloping surface terminating in a bottom shoulder, means for loweringsaid member so that the inner sloping surfaces of said projectionsengage the outer edge of the upper rim of a case on said platform andaccurately center the case thereon, and means operatively connectedbetween said lowering means and said member and operative in response toengagement of the case rim by the bottom shoulder on at least one ofsaid projections thereby to cause the rejection of said case and theinsertion of another empty case onto the loading platform.

7. In a container casing mechanism including means for assembling a bankof containers and means for transferring said bank to a case loadingposition above a case to be filled, a case support and locator meanscomprising, in combination, a frame defining a case supporting platform,means for guidably positioning a case on said platform, a generallyrectangular open member guidably mounted on said frame above saidplatform, said member having inner surfaces sloping downwardly andinwardly so that the bank of containers is guided thereby when it isinserted through the member into the case by the transferring means, aplurality of rigid depending projections on said member, saidprojections defining an inner downwardly and outwardly sloping surfaceterminating in a bottom shoulder, means for lowering said member so thatsaid projections engage the outer edge of the upper rim of a case Onsaid platform and accurately center the case thereon, and meansoperatively connected between said lowering means and said member andoperative in response to a premature engagement of the case by at leastone of the projection shoulders to cause the rejection of said case andthe insertion of another empty case onto the loading platform.

8. In a container casing mechanism including means for assembling a bankof containers and means for transferring said bank to a case loadingposition above a case to be filled, a case locator comprising, incombination, a frame defining a case supporting platform, means forguidably positioning a case on said platform, a generally rectangularopen member guidably mounted on one side of said frame and extending asa cantilever above said platform, said member having inner surfacessloping downwardly and inwardly so that the bank of containers is guidedthereby when it is inserted through the member into the case by thetransferring means, a pair of rigid depending projections on each edgeof said member, said projections defining an inner downwardly andoutwardly sloping surface terminating in a bottom shoulder, means forlowering said member so that the inner sloping surfaces of saidprojections engage the outer edge of the upper rim of a case on saidplatform and accurately center the case thereon, and means operativelyconnected between said lowering means and said member including a lostmotion device and operative in response to a pre mature engagement ofthe case rim, by the bottom shoulder on at least one of said projectionscausing a relative movement between said member and said lowering meansthereby to cause the rejection of said case and the insertion of anotherempty case onto the loading platform by the case positioning means.

9. In a casing machine, the combination comprising a frame supporting aninlet case supply conveyor passing through said machine for supplyingempty cases thereto, a plunger mechanism for pushing cases from saidconveyor into position for loading, and an escapement mechanism fortemporarily halting each case on the conveyor in front of the plunger,said escapement mechanism comprising an escapement lever pivotallymounted on said conveyor frame and having one end forming a gate and theother end forming a stop member, means biasing said lever to positionsaid gate over the conveyor, a lock for holding said gate over saidconveyor to hold a case in position in front of the case supply plunger,and a latch to release said lock, said latch operating in response tothe passage of a case on the conveyor at a point past said lever torelease said lock and thereby enable the held case to push past saidgate and swing said stop into position in front of a following case sothat the stop holds that case until the released case rides clear of thegate and approaches the latch whereupon said gate returns to itsposition across the conveyor and is locked therein until the releasedcase moves past the latch.

10. In a casing machine, the combination comprising, a frame supportingan inlet case supply conveyor passing through said mechanism forsupplying empty cases thereto, a plunger mechanism for pushing casesfrom said conveyor into position for loading, and an escapementmechanism for temporarily halting each case on the conveyor in front ofthe plunger, said eseapement mechanism comprising an escapement leverswingably mounted on said conveyor frame and having one end forming agate and the other end forming a stop, means biasing said lever toposition said gate over the conveyor, means for releasably locking saidgate in position over said conveyor so that a case is held in front ofthe case supply plunger, and means for releasing said locking means inresponse to the passage of a case on said conveyor at a point past saidlever to enable the held case to push past said gate and thereby swingsaid stop into position in front of a following case so that the stopholds that case until the released case rides clear of the gate andapproaches said releasing means whereupon said gate returns to itsposition across the conveyor and is locked therein until the releasedcase moves past the releasing means.

11. A case supply mechanism for use with a plurality of machines forpacking containers in a case, which machines include a conveyor forsupplying a series of containers, means for assembling a plurality ofcontainers into a bank, and means for transferring the bank to a case,said case supply mechanism comprising, in combination, an inlet caseconveyor for continuously conveying empty cases through the casingmachines, a discharge conveyor for conveying filled cases from thecasing machines, a pusher mechanism associated with each of the casingmachines for removing a case from the conveyor and placing it inreceiving position in the associated machine, an escapement mechanismadjacent each pusher mechanism for causing a temporary dwell of eachcase in front of the pusher of each machine, and means operative inresponse to the filling of a case in the machine by the transfer meansto energize the pusher to remove an empty case from the conveyor andurge it into the machine and at the same time discharge the filled caseonto the discharge conveyor.

12. In a case loading machine of the type described wherein quart andfractional-quart size containers are assembled into a bank on anassembly table, are engaged by a transfer head, and are inserted in oneor more layers in a case at a loading station, the combinationcomprising a selector switch means selectively positioned according tothe height of container to be cased, and container height limit switchmeans at the loading station operative in accordance with the selectedposition of said selector switch means and including means actuated bydownward movement of the transfer head for causing the release of thecontainers carried by the head in a case at the desired height therein.

13. In a case loading machine of the type described wherein quart andfractional-quart size containers are assembled into a bank on anassembly table, are engaged by a transfer head, and are inserted by saidtransfer head in a case at a loading station, the combination comprisinga selector switch means selectively positioned according to the heightof container to be cased, and container height limit switch means at theloading station operative in accordance with the selected position ofsaid selector switch means including means actuated by downward movementof the transfer head for causing the re-v lease of the containerscarried by the transfer head in a case at the desired height therein,said container height.

. limit switch means further including a one-way locking limit switchfor each layer of containers of a selected size to be placed in a singlecase and a switch release means actuated in response to the placing ofthe uppermost layer of containers in the case for releasing all of saidlocking limit switches.

14. In a case loading machine of the type described whereinfractional-quart size gable top paperboard containers are to be packedin a case and wherein the containers are packed in layers with theuppermost layer containing fewer containers than the next lower layer,the combination comprising a container bank assembly table of a size forreceiving a bank of containers forming one complete case layer, meansfor transferring said complete bank to a case, means operative inresponse to the placing of a complete bank of containers in a case forreducing the size of the table for forming a bank of containersincluding less than the number making up a complete layer, said transfermeans being operative in response to the formation of the second layersto transfer the same to the case so that the containers of the secondlayer nest between the upstanding gable tops of the containers in thenext lower layer.

15. In a machine for packing a plurality of containers in a case, aframe mounting a table for receiving a bank of containers, an inletconveyor means positioned adjacent said table and including a poweredconveyor and a series of rollers mounted for free rotation on saidframe, an air jet nozzle projecting upwardly between said rollers at theinnermost end of said series of rollers, said nozzle having its outletorifice closely adjacent the upper surface defined by the rollers, meansfor supplying air at a selected pressure to said jet, means for pushinga row of containers alined on said conveyor means onto the table, and apressure sensitive means in the air line to said jet operative inresponse to the positioning of a container above said jet to actuatesaid pushing means to place a row of containers on the table.

16. In a machine for loading a plurality of containers into an open topcase, the combination comprising, means for assembling a series ofcontainers into a bank at an assembly position, means for inserting anempty case into loading position in the machine, orienting means forengaging the open top of said case and holding said case in loadingposition for receiving containers, me ans responsive to the engagementof said orienting means with said case for rejecting a damaged ormisalined case, means for transferring the bank of containers from theassembly position to the waiting case, and means on said orienting meansfor guiding the bank of containers therethrough as they are transferredfrom the assembly position to the case by said transferring means andthereby guiding the bank of containers into the case.

17. In a machine for packing a plurality of containers in a case, thecombination comprising, a continuously moving inlet case supply conveyorcarrying a series of empty cases, means for selectively removing a casefrom the conveyor and inserting it into the machine for receiving aplurality of containers, escapement means positioned over said conveyorfor temporarily halting each case on said continuously moving conveyorin front of said removing means and then releasing those cases notinserted into the machine for continuing movement on the conveyor, saidescapement means including an escapement gate, means for temporarilystopping each case on the conveyor substantially in front of saidremoving means and then releasing said case for continuing movement onsaid conveyor, means for temporarily locking said gate to hold a case infront of'said removing means, means'operative in response to engagementby a previously released case for actuating said locking means and meansengageable by each case to sense its location in front of said removingmeans, said temporary locking means releasing said gate when saidpreviously released case passes said actuating means thereby to releasesuccessive cases for movement on the conveyor.

2,681,171 Brown et al June 15, 1954 2%? Haycock Jan. 3, 1956 Holstebroeet a1. Dec. 10, 1957 Okulitch et a1. Feb. 18, I958 Loveridge Mar. 4,1958 Edwards et al Apr. 15, 1958 Cella Aug. 11, 1959' Cella Aug. 11,1959 Notredarne et al. Sept. 22, 1959

